Part 3 (2/2)

Presently we reached our destination, it was only half-past ten.

”Won't you get out, mother?” I asked as I sprang to the pavement.

”Is it necessary, dear child?” replied mother.

”I think it is,” I answered; ”you ought to appear in this matter, I am too young to receive the respect which I really merit, but with you to help me--oh, you will do _exactly_ what I tell you, won't you?”

”My dear girl!”

”Yes, Mummy, you will, you will.”

I took her hand, and gave it a firm grip, and we went into the house-agent's together.

CHAPTER IV

THE VERDICT

The first thing I noticed when I entered the large room where Messrs Macalister & Co. carried on their business, was a young man, tall and very well set up, who stood with his back to us. He was talking earnestly to one of Macalister's clerks, and there was something about his figure which caused me to look at him attentively. His hair was of a light shade of brown, and was closely cropped to his well-shaped head, and his shoulders were very broad and square. He was dressed well, and had altogether that man-of-the-world, well bred sort of look, which is impossible to acquire by any amount of outward veneer.

The man who stood with his back to us, and did not even glance round as we came into the agent's office, was beyond doubt a gentleman. I felt curiously anxious to see his face, for I was certain it must be a pleasant one, but in this particular fate did not favour me. I heard him say to the clerk in a hurried tone--

”I will come back again presently,” and then he disappeared by another door, and I heard him walking rapidly away. Mother had doubtless not noticed the man at all. She was seated near a table, and when the clerk in question came up to her, seemed indisposed to speak. I gave her a silent nudge.

”We want--ahem,” said my mother--she cleared her throat, ”we are anxious to look at some houses.”

”Fourteen to fifteen bedrooms in each,” I interrupted.

”Fourteen to fifteen bedrooms,” repeated mother. ”How many sitting rooms, Westenra?”

”Four, five, or six,” was my answer.

”Oh, you require a mansion,” said the agent. ”Where do you propose to look for your house, madam?”

He addressed mother with great respect. Mother again glanced at me.

”We thought somewhere north,” she said; ”or north-west,” she added.

”W.C.,” I interrupted; ”Bloomsbury, we wish to settle in Bloomsbury.”

”Perhaps, Westenra,” said my mother, ”you had better describe the house. My daughter takes a great interest in houses,” she added in an apologetic tone to the clerk. The face of the clerk presented a blank appearance, he showed neither elation nor the reverse at having a young lady to deal with instead of an old lady. He began to trot out his different houses, to explain their advantages, their aristocratic positions.

”Aristocratic houses in Bloomsbury--aristocratic!” said mother, and there was a tone of almost scorn in her voice.

”I a.s.sure you it is the case, madam. Russell Square is becoming quite the fas.h.i.+on again, and so is”--he paused--”Would Tavistock Square suit you?” he said, glancing at me.

”I do not know,” I answered. ”I seem to be better acquainted with the names of Russell Square or Bloomsbury Square. After all, if we can get a large enough house it does not greatly matter, provided it is in Bloomsbury. We wish to see several houses, for we cannot decide without a large choice.”

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